The Mind-Brain Relation and Neuroscientific Foundations: III. Brain and Psychopathology, the Split Brain, and Dreaming

Abstract

In addition to the findings of neuroscientific research on brain function, reviewed in the previous articles (Meissner, 2006a, 2006b), contemporary findings relevant to the mind-brain relation derive also from the study of the underlying patterns of brain dysfunction related to various forms of psychopathology. Other information derives from study of split-brain conditions and from research on dream processes and their relation to brain mechanisms. Review of these research findings casts further light on aspects of the mind-brain relation and further substantiates a unified theory of mind-brain integration.

Mind–Brain and Body in the Self: Psychoanalytic Perspectives

“…After all, id, ego, and superego are groupings of mental functions expressing the patterns of organization and functioning of the agency of the selfsystem (Meissner, 2000a(Meissner, , 2000b(Meissner, , 2000c; as such, they reflect or express the activity of brain processes and systems effecting these patterns of functional activity. The basic question, then, is How are these patterns of mental activity produced by brain systems?…”

“…5 As a result of neuroimaging techniques and cellular microrecording (Meissner, 2006a(Meissner, , 2000b, we can watch the brain go into action and even trace patterns of activation in brain cells and their complex connections in performing such mental actions. As Goleman (1995) commented: "Most dramatic are the glimpses of the brain at work, made possible by innovative methods such as new brain-imaging technologies.…”

“…In previous reflections, I have discussed the varieties of mind-body relation proposed by various theorists (Meissner, 2003b) as well as the vagaries of thinking about the mind-body relation found in Freud (Meissner, 2003c) and among subsequent analysts who have reflected on the matter (Meissner, 2003d). Subsequent exploration of neuroscientific findings relevant to the mind-brain problem (Meissner, 2006a(Meissner, , 2006b, of conclusions from the study of brain dysfunction in forms of psychopathology and dreaming (Meissner, 2006c) and of aspects of psychosomatic functioning (Meissner, 2006d) led to the conclusion that traditional dualistic and monistic resolutions of the mind-body problem were insufficient.…”

“…Thus the scope of my discussion here is consequently quite limited, namely, to bring together these conclusions regarding mind-body unity and integrate them with the concept of self-as-person (Meissner, 2001). The core questions confronting us in this welter of fact and opinion were posed nearly a score of years ago by Rorty (1988): "What accounts for the unity and identity of any individual mind, and how do the unity and identity of mind differ from the unity and identity of an individual person, composed of mind and body?"…”

“…Geometry is a separate area of mathematics that must be studied on its own terms quite separately from brain processes. Even mental processes dealing with ethical decision and principles retain their independent intelligibility and validity (Meissner, 2003a). Ethical processing, judgment, and de-cision making are also products of brain activity, but this does not diminish, devalue, or abrogate ethical deliberation and decision making on its own terms.…”